Posted in Photo challenge

Photo Challenge: Repurpose

Show us something that you’ve recycled or repurposed, or an object for which you’ve discovered a clever new use, Krista Stevens asked us yesterday. So I strutted through my  house, in search of a photo-worthy object. I could have chosen the big gray kettle that I’m using to collect old paper. Or the milk jug that I repurposed into a toilet brush holder.

Then I thought of Mr. Maganga, a passionate teacher I met in Malawi, Africa, in 2014. And I knew that none of my photos expresses the level of recycling he has reached better than this one:

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Posted in Culture/History, Education, Inspiration, Writing, Writing101

TED Talk? No, JEFFREY Talk!

His eyes shine like a beacon of hope. They draw me in like a moth is pulled to a flame. Not to be burned, but to be submerged in a pool of energy, humor and passion. His name is Jeffrey Titus Maganga, and he is the most charismatic man I have met in a long time.

Mister Maganga works at Lilongwe’s Teacher Trainer College in Malawi, where he tells us all about TALULAR – Teaching And Learning Using Locally Available Resources. In Malawi, resources are scarce, and the help of the government is not always available. He teaches his students to use their imagination, creativity and common sense beyond the knowledge of college.

In the beginning, his never ending search for free materials drove his wife mad, whenever he returned from a trip to for example the supermarket, with bags full of useless stuff, junk even. Think of used sheets, of corks and reeds, paper boxes and cans, Useless.., until Jeffrey thinks of new ways to convert them into educational materials. Now she even helps me to collect them! He winks.

His enthusiasm is contagious, and my heart swells with pride. This is a man all of us can learn from. No fancy talk, no expensive materials. Just a man and his passion, his love for teaching, and for the environment.

Mister Jeffrey Titus Maganga!

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I wrote this for Writing 101: A Character-Building Experience: “Today, you’ll write about the most interesting person you’ve met in 2014. In your twist, develop and shape your portrait further in a character study.”

I’d love to get feedback!

Posted in Africa, Photo

Faces of Africa – 7

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Too curious to be shy.

Posted in Africa, Photo

Faces of Africa – 5

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People in Africa transport all kind of things on their heads. Buckets of water, potatoes, wood. Heavy loads often!

Posted in Africa, Photo

Faces of Africa – 4

140513FoAStudent at the Emmanuel Teacher Training College in Lilongwe, Malawi.